Consumer prices are not lower in Finland, although VAT is responsible for a lot of the difference, to be fair. Yeah, sales tax in Finland is 24%. I've been in both places in the last year, cried when I bought my used Toyota here. Rent indeed is 70% lower, but you lose by having 70% lower rent and 70% lower salary. Besides, median salaries in Finland are 15% of what they are in SF (staff swe at 500k vs 90k). And the tax burden is way lower, even in CA. Finland has a lot going for it, but there's just no point in debating the money part.

> Consumer prices are 35% lower in Finland, rent prices are 70% lower in Finland, when comparing to SF.

When comparing to SF, 90% of the planet is that much more affordable. Sheesh there’s more to the world than the plight of San Francisco.